James Harden hits 2 late 3s, 76ers outscore Nets 137-133
From The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Harden hit two 3-pointers and hit a drive serve against his former Brooklyn teammates in the final four minutes. The Philadelphia 76ers extended their winning streak to six games, beating the Nets 137-133 on Wednesday night.
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 27 points and Joel Embiid had 26. Harden added 23 and Philadelphia was 35 of 36 from the foul line.
Seth Curry had a season-high 32 points for Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving had 30 for the Nets, who have lost five of their last seven games without Kevin Durant.
The game marked the first regular-season matchup between Embiid and former teammate Ben Simmons since a February 2022 trade that sent Simmons to Brooklyn for Harden. Simmons missed the remainder of the 2022 season with various injuries, then Embiid was injured and missed the Sixers’ win on Simmons’ return to Philadelphia on November 22.
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 14 rebounds to help Milwaukee outnumber defeated Denver.
The Western Conference’s leading nuggets were missing four usual starters in two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic (strained left hamstring), Jamal Murray (left knee/injury management), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (sprained right wrist) and Michael Porter Jr. (personal reasons).
Jokic returned Tuesday night after missing two games and had his fourth straight triple-double in a 99-98 win in New Orleans. But he rested his hamstring on Wednesday instead of playing back-to-back nights.
Aaron Gordon had 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets.
WOODWOLVES 111, PELICANS 102
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds on his return from a groin injury, and Minnesota spoiled the return of New Orleans star Brandon Ingram after a two-month absence.
Ingram, who has not played since Nov. 25 and missed 29 games with a left toe injury, scored 13 points but struggled with his shot and missed 14 of 18, including all six attempts from deep.
CJ McCollum scored 25 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Pelicans. They lost their sixth straight game and dropped their ninth in the 12 games missed by star power forward Zion Williamson (right hamstring).
HOUSTON (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored 20 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter to help Washington get past Houston.
The Wizards were 19 points behind and down 10 to open the fourth quarter.
Houston’s Alperen Sengun had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Trae Young had 33 points and 11 assists in Atlanta’s win over Oklahoma City.
Dejounte Murray scored 21 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points for Oklahoma City.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 23 points, Garry Harris made all six of his 3 points and added 22 points and Orlando held Indiana.
Orlando made 15 of 28 attempts from 3-point range and shot 56% overall.
Bennedict Mathurin had 26 points for Indiana in the second straight game. Myles Turner added 22 points and 13 rebounds.
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